Improvement in lifting-gripers



H. H. STUART.

Lifting-firipers 16.158332, Patented Dec. 29,1874.

jgvilfswv l V v I ATTORNEYS UNITED STATES PATENT ()FFIGE.

HENRY H. STUART, OF CAMBRIDGE, ILLINOIS.

IMPROVEMENT IN LlFTlNG-GRIPERS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 158,332, dated December 29, 1874; application filed October 31, 1874.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HENRY H. STUART, of Cambridge, in the county of Henry and State of Illinois, have invented a new and valuable Improvement in Lifting -Gripers; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the construction and operation of the same, reference being had to the annexed drawings making a part of this specification, and to the letters and figures of reference marked thereon.

Figure 1 of the drawing is a representation of my device closed upon some object, and Fig. 2 is a view of the same open. Fig. 3 is a side or edge view.

This invention has relation to devices which are especially adapted for seizing and lifting stone and other like ponderous articles; and the nature of the invention consists in the construction of the parts, as will be hereinafter more fully described and claimed.

111 the annexed drawings, A designates a strong metallic bar of suitable length, having an angular bend, a, at or near the middle of its length, upon which are applied, so as to work loosely thereon, two hangers, B. G desi gnates two arms, having cam-shaped ends 0, which are pivoted at p to the lower end of the hangers B. D designates strong metallic links, which are pivotally attached to the outer ends of the arms 0, and which are of sufficient length to permit the hangers B to pass freely through their slots, as shown in Figs. 2 and 8. The outer ends of the links are connected by a chain, E, to which is attached the block and tackle commonly used for lifting purposes.

I use my improved gripe in the following manner for the purpose of lifting a stone: The hangers B, having been made to embrace the stone, are held firmly against it, the chain E and links D hanging loosely upon the supporting-bar A, as shown in Fig.2. In this position the cam-shaped ends-c of the arms 0 will be flush, or nearly so,with the inner edges of the hangers B 5 but when the lifting power is applied the arms 0 will be drawn up into position shown in Fig. 1, thereby forcing the cam-shaped ends 0 outward, and firmly graspin g and holding the stone, which may now be lifted and swung into any desired place.

The object of the bend a of the bar A is to allow my improved gripe to be conveniently used in connection with a pyramidal or oblong stone 5 hence it will be readily understood that where used with flat stones this bend is unnecessary, and will not be used.

I am aware that stretchers in which are journaled adjustable cam-rollers, and provided with loops, to which are attached the ends of a rope, have heretofore been employed for hoisting monuments, and, therefore, I lay no claim to such invention, the adjustments for difl'erent-sized monuments requiring more time and labor than in my invention.

What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

The metallic bar A, having a bend, a, at or near its middle, in combination with the adjustable hangers B B, provided with loops at both their ends, pivoted cam-arms 0 (J, and links D D, pivoted to the outer ends of the arms 0 0, all constructed and arranged to operate substantially as specified.

In testimony that I claim the above I have hereunto subscribed m y name in the presence of two witnesses.

, HENRY H. STUART.

Witnesses:

0. E. PAGE, J. P. STACKHOUSE. 

